Drop-wire-finishing machine.



E. C. SIVIITH.

DROP WIRE FINISHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. I915.

Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

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E. 0- SMITH.

DROP WIRE FINISHING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5.19I5- 1,2882%5. Patented Dec. 17,1918.

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DROP WIRE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mm SEPT. 5. ms.

Patented Dec17,19 18.

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E. (3. SMITH.

DBOP WlRE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATlON FILED SEPT. 5. 19:6.

1 ,288,24:5. Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

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E. C. SMITH.

DROP WIRE FINISHING MACHINE.

2 Maw m %n w 2 mm w 3 m mhww 2 INVENTOR EDVIN C. SMITH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

DROP-WIRE-FINISHING -MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Eco. 17, 1918.

Application filed September 5, 1916. Serial No. 118,596.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN C. SMITH, a citizen of the. United States 0. America, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Drop-lVire-Fim ishing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

lriy invention is a machine for finishing the eye or thread bearing of stop motion drop wires as they are usually designated. The purpose of my invention is to automatically feed the drop wires from a detachable magazine to the eye polishing apparatus, subject them to treatment by that apparatus, withdraw them when finished, counting them as they are withdrawn, deposit them in a container automatically presented for the purpose and remove the container when filled with a predetermined number.

The construction and arrangement of my invention are why described in the following drawings which form a part of the.

accompanying specifications:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with portions of the feed roll bracket and parts absent to more clearly show the feed rolls.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figs. 3 1 5 and 6 show different forms of drop wires.

Figs. 7 and 8 show details of the feed mechanism.

Figs. 9l011-12 and 13 show details of the suction transfer mechanism.

Figs. 1415 and 16 show details of the roll feed.

Fig. 17 a detail of the driving gearing.

Figs. 1S-1920 and 21 show details of the polishing apparatus.

Figs..2293 and Qishow details of the registering apparatus.

Fig. is a view of the end of the machine looking in the direction of the arrow at in Figs. 1 and 2.

F ig. 26 shows a modified arrangement of the suction transfer mechanism.

Fig. 27 shows a modified form of manipu lator arrangement Stop motion drop wires are used in con- -ection with loom warp stops. They are made of thin springy steel of a thickness usually varying from .006 to .012 but sometimes thicker or thinner Their width varies from to 1 and they are of diverse conformation and length. Typical forms are shown in Figs. 3 l-5 and 6. Consequently a device or a machine to deal automatically withdrop wires must possess flexible adjustments of substantial range and ease of adaptation.

The machine of my invention comprises five principal sub-mechanisms for performing the function's dealt with, to wit, feeding mechanism A for delivering the drop wires, one by one, from the magazine in which they come to the machine; a polishing apparatus B for treating the eye of each drop wire when it has been presented; a registering mechanism C to locate the drop wire in relation to the polishing apparatus and hold it while treated, and release it after treatment; and an ejecting apparatus D to withdraw the finished drop wires from the polishing apparatus and count them, and deposit them in a container.

Preparatory to finishing, the drop wires are loaded into magazines or clips just as cartridges are loaded into clips of automatic pistols. The magazine 2 (Figs. 7 and 11) is of sheet material bent in substantially U form, forming a trough of a depth somewhat less than the length of the drop wires being treated. To one end is secured a base plate 3 through which is an opening 4 sufficient to admit the platform 5 of the elevator (Figs. 2 and 7) and the parts which support it. When the magazine is loaded a flat plate 6 is placed upon the base plate 3 and the drop wires are piled regularly upon it with the top of the drop wires to the closed edge of the magazine. The interior width of the magazine is substantially the same as the width of the drop wire, diflerent widths of magazine being used for different widths of drop wire The magazine'is attached to the machine by sliding the base plate 3, which is wider than the magazine is thick, into the groove 7 of the bracket 8 which is secured to the side of the machine bed 9 by screws 8 Cover plates 10-10 hold the base plate to the groove.

Above the magazine is a suction transfer device for picking up the drop wires from the magazine, one by one, and transferring them to feed rolls which shall deliver them to the polishing apparatus. The suction action is derived from an exhausting machine which may be of any known and adequate construction and winch is not shown, to which the suction transfer device is connected by the tube or duct 11. The duct attaches. to a-nipple 12 (Figs. 1'11 and 12) which 15. On either side of the body 13, are ears 1616, through which headed members 1717, preferably screw studs, extend with freedom of movement, and are secured to the suction head 15. Between the suction head 15 and the ears 16 are springs which hold the suction head away from the body 13, the heads of the members 1717 preventing entire separation of the parts. This permits the suction device to yield as it is applied to the drop wires a feature which is particularly desirable when the magazine is exhausted or nearly so -for otherwise the movement of the suction device must be extremely accurate to avoid a dead encounter of said device and the plate 6 or, in case the suction action should fail, to avoid breakage or damage due to the drop wire being fed upwardwithout removal from the magazine.

Attached to the suctionhead 15 is a mouth piece 18.. This is made detachable from the suction head because different sizes must be used for different widths of drop wires.

The suction head is of dove tail section,

and the mouth piece is. made to conform to it. Screws 19-19 secure the mouthpiece to the suction head, drawing the abutting surfaces tightly together. The mouthpiece has orifices 20-20 corresponding to the shape of the wire. For example the orifice shown in Fig. 13 conforms such a drop wire as that shown in Fig. 6.

On each side of the mouth piece 18 alining spurs 2121 are secured their purpose being to insure that the drop wire shall take its correct position when sucked from the pile in the magazine, and to further insure that it shall not be displaced during transit from the magazine to the feed rolls. Their use is more advantageous with light drop wires than with heavy ones. Clearance openings 2222 810., t admit the spurs 21--21 &c. are formed in the top of the magazine 2 (Figs. 7 and 11). At the back end of the mouth piece is a bac stop 327 projecting beyond the rear end of the drop wire and'then downward,- behind the drop wir so that the latter cannot slip back when presented to the feed rolls 3838 or for next operation.

The suction body 13 is mounted upon a bracket 23 which in turn is secured to slide 24 which is vertically movable in a way 25 of the carrier 26. The latter is mounted to move on a horizontal slide 27 which is reciprocated in bearings 2828 of the stand 29 bv the crank 30. The latter is mounted the on a transverse shaft 31. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and Figs. 9 and 10.)

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 it is to be noted that the shaft 31 runs inboarings 32-33 and 34c and through the system of gearing shown also in Fig. 17, is connected with the driving pulley 35 Returning to Figs. 9 and 10, the horizontal slide 27 carries a roll 36, which engages the vertical slide 24: by a cam groove 37 made with an inclination and of an extent adequate to raise a drop wire clear out of the magazine and to the feed level of the feed rolls 38-38.

Mounted on the bracket 29 behind the slide 27 is a detent 39 which is forced into engagement with the suction carrier 26 by a spring 39' (Figs. 9 and 10). VVhilethus engaged the suction carrier is obviously withheld from movement with slide 27. On the slide 27 is a trip or camblock 40 which when it encounters the detent 39 disengages it'froni the suction carrier 26. The trip 10 is so located as torelease the carrier just before the cam roll 36 reaches the end of the cam groove 37, so thatwhen the roll encounters the carrier at the end of said groove. it propels the carrieninoving it with the slide 27. Springs 4343 return the carrier 26 to its initial position. The ex= tent of travel of the carrier 26 is substantially half the movement of the slide 27. The bracket 23 can be varied inheight and secured in place at different heights by the screw 41. The suction body 13 can likewise be located at various points on the bracket 23, screw holes 42i2 &c.', being provided for the purpose.

The feed rolls 3838 620., above referred to are of usual form and arrangement and.

require little detailed description. Referring to Fig. 14, Fig. 15 and Fig. 16,the rolls 38-38, &c., are mounted in a bracket 44:. Springs under caps 46--6 press the top rolls upon the bottom rolls to seize the drop wires as they are presented by the suction feed. Each top roll has a reduced bearing i7 and has a gear as at the extremity of the bearing.

The bottom roll is an integral part of its driving shaft e9, having like the top roll, a reduced portion 50 with gear 51 adjacent.

A gear 52 on the end of the bottom roll shaft frame 61, held to the shaft by any suitable means, i t

In the swinging frame isan intermediate shaft 62 which carries the gear'63 meshing with the said gear 60. At the opposite end of the intermediate shaft is a drivenchange gear 64 which meshes with the driving change gear 65 on the lower transverse shaft 54:. By changing the gears 64 and 65 for gears of other ratio, the rate of operation of the finishing apparatus can be varied ac cording to the length of drop wire treated. Obviously it would be unwise for reciprocating parts to travel over a course of eight inches with as many reciprocations per minute as when the course is only three inches long; hence the provision noted.

Further, the feed rolls 3838 must run faster to remove a long drop Wire from the path of the one next succeeding, than they would need to run in feeding short drop wires.

Reverting to the feeding mechanism, the drop wires are fed through the magazine 2 by an elevator having a carriage 67, carried on two substantially vertical guides 68 and (39. Mounted on the carriage is an upwardly extending stand 70, at the top of which is hinged the platform 5, referred to on p. 2, line 27. Owing to the service to be performed by the hinge, it must be substantial, and because the thickness must be less than the width of the narrowest drop wire the top of the stand 70 is made of circular form, and fits into a circular socket or bearing of the platform 5 the substance of the platform encompassing more than half the circumference of the round head of the stand so the two cannot be separated by edgewise movement. Thin cover plates. 7272 held by a rivet 73 or other suitablefastening secure the parts in place.

Extending downward from the platform 5 is an arm 74:, andat the extremity of the latter is a roll 75, the axis ofthe roll O being on a line passing through the axis of the hinge and perpendicular to top of platform. Engaging the roll is a channeled gulde arm 7 6 which is moimted on a bracket 77 secured preferably to the magazine stand 8. A stud 78 having a bearing in the bracket 77 supports the guide arm 7 6 permitting it to swing. At the bottom of the guide arm 76 is a slotted sector 79, by which the guide arm 76 may besecured in any position, a thumb nut 80 being provided for the purpose. The platform 5 can therefore be set to move without inclination to its direction of travel or can be made to vary its position from one of inclination to its direction of travel to one substantially square therewith. The reason for this provision is that closed drop wires such as are shown in Figs. 3 and a come to the finishing machine practically flat and when a magazine is filled the topmost drop wire is practically parallel With the drop wire at the bottom of the magazine. On the other hand open drop Wires such as are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 do not lie flat, for the prongs become more or less deformed so that such drop wires pile at their bottom or forked end. Consequently the elevator is so adjusted as to present the topmost drop wire in the proper plane to be squarely met and picked up by the suction mouth piece 18, which requires that the bottom-most drop wire be distinctly inclined to the plane of presentation, to which initial inclined position the platform is accommodated by the provisions described. Obviously the platform arm 7 4t and the guide arm 76 are so related that however much the platform may be inclined at its bottommost position, it becomes parallel with the mouth piece at its uppermost position.

The elevator carriage 67 is raised by a sprocket 81 and a chain 82 meshing with said sprocket. pull directly over the carriage a guide sheave 83 is employed. The sprocket wheel 81 is rotatively secured to the shaft 84., on the opposite end of which is a handle 85. The end'of the hub of the sprocket wheel has clutch teeth 86 which conform to corresponding ,clutch teeth 87 in the end of the hollow shaft or quill 88, which is rotatable in bearings 89 and 90 of the stand 91-Fig. 8. The clutch teeth 86 and 87 are held to engagement by the spring 92 interposed between the handle and the end of the quill. Secured'to the quill 88 between the bearings'89 and is a worm wheel 93, which is driven by the worm 94. The Worm 94 is secured to a shaft 95 mounted in bearings 96 96 of the stand 91. On one end of said shaft 95 is a handle 97 and on the other end is a ratchet wheel 98. Mounted to oscillate on the shaft 95 is a slotted arm 99 carrying a pawl 100 which is held to engage ment with the ratchet by the spring 101 attached to said pawl andanchored to the 0s cillating arm by the eye 102-Figx 2. A spring check pawl 103 mounted on an arm 104 of the stand 91 prevents return of the ratchet wheel after it has been advanced by the pawl 100. The pawl 99 is oscillated from the crank 30 through coimecting rod 105. which connects the said pawl arm 99 with the slide 27. (See Figs. 1 and 10.) The thumb nut 105 provides for adjustment of position of the connecting rod. and thereby for adjustment of the extent of movement of the ratchet 98 at each reciprocation of the crank 80, which adjustment determines the amount of movement of the elevator car riage.

Then the elevator carriage reaches the end of its upward movement it is necessary to stop the machine, to prevent damage which would ensue were the elevator car- To bring the line of chain.

lever 106'is connected by a suitable element riage not stopped. This is accomplished through the controlling lever 106 by which the. machine is started and stopped. This as by the cord 107 with a clutch or-loelt shifter having a self acting release or stop of any known form, 1 (hence not shown) which controls the operation of the machine. vVhent-he machine is in operation, the controlling handle rests on the shoulder 108 holding the clutch or belt shifter to its operative position. Adjacent the controlling handle is a knock-off lever 109 having a portion 110 which is in a position to be encountered by a projectionlll on the carriage. When the carriage reaches the end of its upward travel it en gagesthe knockoff lever 109 and through it pushes the lever i by its own weight. g quickly the loose end 113 of the chain can be 106 from the stop or shoulder 108, permitting the self acting controlling device to act and stop the machine Toreturn the carriage 67 to its bottom position, the handle 85 is pushed toward the stand 91 disengaging theclutch teeth 86 and 87 and permitting the carriage to descend To raise the carriage pulled, the formationot the clutch teeth permitting the ratchet 81 to turn in the 'direc-' tion of the arrow 6 (Fig. 7).- To raise the carriage slowly and carefully, to adjust the drop wires of a newly filled magazine to the suction mouth piece '18, the handle'97 is einployed.

To catch and center the drop wire as it is transferred from the magazine to the rolls,

3838, & c., a trumpet member 113 is secured totheroll frame at by screws 114+114or 7 otherwise. (Figs. 31& and

The, polishing or reaming of the "drop wire is accomplished by the polishingpencils 115. (See Fig. 1 Figs. 18 and 19.) These are carried byspindles 116116 having pulleys 11'T11T whicharedriven preferably by a motor 118 through the driving pulleys 119-419 and belts -120-120. The pencils which are of suitable abras ve material, are preferably securedto the spindles by draw in chucks or collets 121 121 operated by nuts 122'122. These are ot v ordinary construction and require no description thoughl ig. 18indicates the construction by broken lines. The spindles are trnouuted in the sub-frame or stand 123 which in turn is slidably mounted on a long stand 124:. Theinounting isot usual gib construction permitting the stand to be securedat any desired position; The spindle must operate at high speedrand therefore ball bearings should be employed. These may be of any known kind, or construction.

As the belt pull on the lower pulley is considerably below the point of support for the stand 123, provision for support is made in the shoe 125 whichbears against the projectionor way 126 of the longstand 124 and ad usted to said way'by is supported and the set screws 127 in the stand 123. In the upper part of the stand is ashaft 128, on which is a cam 129. Below the earn 129, and directly behind'the polishing pencils is a block 130 containing a? way 131 (Fig. 21) i and a pocket 132. In the way is mounted a slide 133 having a projection 13% which" extends into the pocket 132. Within the pocket 132 and below the projeetion or lug 131 is a spring 135' which'tends to liitthe slide 133. At the upper end of the slide 133 is a roll 136 which engages the cam 129, the latter acting opposite to the spring 135 to depress the slide.

Mounted on the slide 133 is what is called 2 the manipulator 137, so designated because it performs the same function as the hand pressure which lends to polishing, where unyielding pressure would leaveroughne'ss.*

Through each of the endties or cross bars 139 and 1&0 are guide ways, 341 and 34:2 for the drop wire.

31-1 being flared both vertically and'later ally. The cam 129 is so formed, with, due referenceto the timing of the other actions .100 The entrance to each of. these guide ways is flaring or trumpeted,

of the machine that the inanipulator'is normally in, the path ioftravel of the drop wire, 2'. 6. half way betweenthe tips of the polishing pencils. Then a drop wire has been received, and hasbeen pos1t1oned or placed by the registering mechanism, the

manipulator is depressed by the c am and raised by the-spring and in eachcase is held in contact with'the pencils for a suiii cient period to adequately polish the eye, of the drop wire. Theduration of contact and therefore the precise form of the cam will depend upon the nature of theabrasive used and "the speed at which the polishing spindle-runs. y j P At theyopposite end o'fthe shaft 128 from the cam 129 is a bevel gear lsl which meshes with another bevel gear 142 .on the main shaft1 l3 The latter shaft runs in .125: one of which l le is inthe same bracket 1&5

various bearings mounted on the stand 12%,-

having bearings 32Iand 33 for the upper transverse shaft 31'. The main shaft 14:3

and the transverse shaztt 31 are operatively connected by the bevel gears 1 16- 147.

The registering apparatus is carried by a second sub-frame or stand 148 which also carries a shaft 149 which is operatively connected with the main shaft 1&3 by bevel gears 150151. Mounted to swing on the stand 1 18 is the placing finger 152, and which a spring 153, anchored to the part 15%, tends to swing away from the penciling spindle, or toward the shaft 119; On the placing finger is a roll 155 which is held by the spring 153 to the cam 156. Mounted on an arm 15? of the stand 1&6 is a slidable bracket 158 on which is mounted a gaging finger 159 which can work on the bracket 158, having a rocker shaft or pin 160 in a bearing of said bracket. (See also Fig. 24.) Mounted near the bottom of the stand 1&8 and below the shaft 149 is the lifting arm 161, having a rocker shaft or pin 162 which works in a bearing in said frame. The placing finger extends downward from its fulcrum, close by the stand 1&8, nearly to the plane or level of drop wire feed; then it extends outward, at right angles to its main position, the said right angled portion 163 passing below the gaging finger 159, and also below the lifting arm 161. At a point above the center line cc (Fig. 24) of the drop wire the finger again bends downward, its extremity 164 being formed to enter the top slot of a drop wire. The gaging finger also has a lateral extension from its general plane to a point over the center line of the drop wire when it also turns downward, its extremity 165 being the age or stop against which the drop wire is p laced for polishing.

The lifting arm 161 has a lip or projection 166, which extends under the gaging finger only. Its bottom edge has a cam formation 167 with which the right angled portion 168 of the placing finger engages, raising the lifter arm, and with it the gaging finger, when the placing finger moves away from the shaft 149 or toward the polishing pencils 115115. lVhen the placing finger 152 moves in the opposite direction its right angled portion 163 withdraws from the cam formation 167, of the lifter arm, permitting it to descend, and with it the gaging finger 159. To accelerate the descent of the ing finger 159 a spring 168 is used extending from an anchorage 169 to the gaging" finger. When a drop wire is delivered into the manipulator 137, it is brought into position where its top slot or slot if there is only one) falls within the range of action of the placing finger 152. As the cam 156 turns, it permits the spring 153 to act, and swing the placing finger 152 to the right (Fig. 22) or toward the cam shaft, releasing the lifting arm. Upon release of the lifting arm it is free to fall, permitting the extremity 165 of the gaging finger 159 to descend and enter the slot of the drop wire. Thereupon r2116 extremity 164; of the placing finger 152 having also entered the drop wire slot, encounters the drop wire at the top of the slotand moves it until stopped by the encounter of the gaging finger with the portion of the drop wire between the slot and the eye. If the gaging finger is properly located with reference to the polishing pencil, the drop wire is then precisely gaged and placed for action by the polishing pencils. The spring action of the placing finger is essential because there is likely to be some variation in the length of drop wire slot; and further precise accuracy of relation between the gaging finger and the placing finger is not needed. Were the placing finger moved unyieldingly in its placing ac tion, as by a cam, then extreme accuracy would need to be observed in adjusting the two fingers. lVith the spring action shown and described the throw of the extremity of the placing finger might vary lor possibly 71- in two different settings for the same drop wire without detriment.

Extending below the bottom of the stand is an apron 170 on which is mounted a shelf 171 secured by two screws 172172 which pass through elongated slots 173173 in the bracket portion 174 of the shelf. The top of the shelf is substantially level with the plane of drop wire feed. The portion 175 of the shelf next to the polishing pencils is inclined so as to receive the drop wire without misplacement. At high speed the drop wires are likely to vibrate extensively and therefore require guidance to hold them up to the placing finger. A slot 176 in the top of the shelf and extending into the inclined portion, provides clearance for operation of the placing finger and of an extracting finger which will later be described.

Above the table is a presser foot 177 which, for purposes to be described, is applied to the drop wire with elastic pressure. This is accomplished by making the presser foot proper of springs 178178.' I prefer to use two springs because if one were used it would need to be forked, with a space between the two prongs or bearing portions to admit, and permit action of, the placing'and extracting fingers aforesaid. To make such a forked spring bear evenly with both prongs would be difficult and impracticable, so two springs 178178 are used, secured to the lever 17 9 by screws 180-180 and further held in place by three ears 181181 181 and a pin 182 passing through them. Shown also in Fig. 2 1.) The degree of pressure of each spring can be regulated by the screws 180180.

The" lever 179 is mounted on a stud 183 of the stand 148, and carries a roll 184 through whichit is operated by a cam 185 mounted on the same shaft 149 with the cam 156. A spring 186, extending from the anchor pin 15% to the extremity f the arm .201 to which the extracting finger 202 is pivotally attached. The cross head has a slotted ear 203 through which the extra-ct ing finger passes, the length of the slot lim- 'iting its pivotal movement. The extracting presser foot descends upon the drop wire,

pressing it on the shelf 171.

\Vere all drop wires made with round eyes, the pressure of the presser foot upon the drop wire would suffice to hold it while being polished, for the round eye would be entered. by the polishing pencils, and the placing finger could return to the position shown in Fig. 1 as soon as the drop wire had been placed. Many drop wires have oval eyes or no eye at all, the thread coming into contact with the top of a slotas in the case of the drop wire of Figs. 5 and 6. In such case the pressure of the drop wire against the formed end of the polishing pencil tends to displace the drop wire and it is essential that it be held to its position. To avoid verbiage thethread hearing is herein referred to as an eye whether is is an inclosed eye or not.) Therefore, the registering cam 156 is so formed as to leave the registering finger in engagement with the gaging finger during the polishing, holding the drop wire to the gaging finger. The latter, when it descends rests by its lateral or right angled extension 187 on the manipulator 137 and is free to follow same in its upand down movement. 165 of the gaging finger 159, with its lateral extension 187 is entirely outside of the foot springs 17 8-178 and close up to the polishing pencils. The placing finger 152 extends within, and operates within, the presser foot springs. The presser foot springs cooperate with the inclined position of the shelf 171'to control the vibration of the drop wire as it is being placed.

Referring to Fig. 2 the polishing stand 123 and the registeringstand 148 are connected with micrometer adjustment. The screw 188 is threaded into the ear 189 on the registering stand 148 and'its shank or unthreaded portion passes through the ears l90.-190'between which is a knurled thumb piece191, secured tothe screw 188. By this means-the gaging finger can-be accurately adjusted to the polishing pencils to insure correct finishing. i V 7 Next beyond the registering apparatus is presser the ejecting apparatus, ca ried in part on a stand 192. 'Mounted on the said stand is a cross head guide 193 on which-is a cross head 19%- driven thronghthe connecting rod 195 by the crank Nth-which in turn is driven by the niain shaft 113 through spiralggear's 197 197 and the crank shaft 198. On the cross head is a hell crank lever 199 formed with a longconnting arm 2,00 and a shorter The extremity finger is also of hell crank form having a downward extension 201. A spring an chored to the cross head at 206 holds the.

hooked extremity 207 of the extracting finger down andalso holds the counting finger.

, down. The position of the extracting finger is such that at the extreme movement of the cross head 191 111 the direction of the arrow (Z, the hooked extremity of the extracting finger enters the slot 176 in the shelf 171' Fig. 21. If a drop wire is there, the hooked extremity rides up on the end of the drop wire into the drop w re slot. The drop Wlle is under pressure of the presser foot 177 and resists withdrawal, so that the spring'205 yields and the bell crank lever 199 is rocked raising the counting finger 200. 'A stop 208 limits the movement of the bell crank lever. The action of the presser foot efi'ects another result besides actuating'the bell crank and its counting fingers. drop wire from being projected bythe rapid action of the cross head and causes the drop wire to falldirectly downward into the box or container-209.

The extremity of the counting finger 20.0 is formed at substantially right angles with the plane of the lever, and extends inward toward'the machine. 7 finger is a counting guideQlO mounted also on the. stand 192. This extends toward the registering apparatus far enough sothat with a drop wire, the angular extremity of the countingfinger rides up upon the .count- Above the counting It prevents the ing guide, and is carried on it by the movement of the cross head so that it cannot drop to its normal position until the return of the extracting finger for another drop wire. If no drop wire is engaged, t again falls to its normal position. Ob viously then, every time a drop wire is extracted the counting finger'will risenp and ride on the countingguide210 Adjacent the counting guide is a counter 2 11 of any necounting finger suit-able construction. The lever 213 of the 1 counter extends by the counting guide, and

the angular extremity of the counting finger. 200 is sufficiently long to encounter the lever 213, so that every time the counting finger 200 ridesthe counting guide it encounters the lever 213 and o erates theccunter, r tering each'drop wireextracted;

The container or x209 is carried on a chain conveyer represented by the chains H 21--21 1 which ruir on the 2152 5, mounted on the shaft 216 nihich. in turn, is driven by a chain whichloperw' tively connects a sprocket 219, mounted on;

sprockets l the shaft 216, with a driving sprocket 220 on the shaft 143. The shaft 216 runs in bearings 2 l8248 of the stand 217, and in a bearing of the stand 218. The particular mechanism for controlling the actuation of the conveyer is subject for another application.

Inasmuch as drop wires vary in length, the polishing, registering and extracting mechanisms must be adjustable in position, a feature which is secured by the long stand 12% with its guide way on top to which are gibbed the stands 123, 148, 192 and 245, which latter carries the crank shaft 198 and spiral gears 197-197. The shaft 1&3 is splined to accommodate the different positions of the said stands and the connecting gearing. Provision is made for varying the position of the counter in the T slot 246. Provision for varying the position of container, into which the drop wires are ejected, is made by splining the shaft 216 and by fitting the stand 248 in which are the bearings 215215, to an alining groove 2&9 in the table 9, so that the conveyers position may be shifted bodily.

The operation of my machine is as follows:

The magazine 2 is filled with the drop wires, piled upon the plate 6 and is then slipped into place in the bracket 8. By means of the handle 97 the elevator is operated until the top of the pile of drop wires in the magazine is within range of action of the suction feed. The machine is then started by raising the lever 106 until it hangs upon the shoulder 108 which, through well known instrumentalities starts the device which operates the driving pulley and simultaneously closes the motor switch. The suction mouth piece 18 descends upon the pile of drop wires and sucks up and holds in place one drop wire, the suction being adjusted to a degree sufficient for that purpose. The spurs 2121 serve to aline the drop wire which is then raised to the plane of feeding which is substantially the plane of contact of the feed rolls with each other. The drop wire is then carried forward to the feed rolls 3838. By the back stop 227 the drop wire is forced between the rolls 3838, &c., which carry the drop wire forward and insert it in the manipulator 137. The leading end of the drop wire is pushed through the manipulator and forward until it rests upon the shelf 171. The placing finger 152 then moves in the same direction as the drop wire, entering its slot and. by engaging the drop wire, continues its forward movement. But the action of the placing finger 152, releases the lifter arm 161 and the gaging finger 159 permitting the gage 165 to also enter the drop wire slot. As soon as the drop wire is drawn against the gage 165, Where it is held by the placing finger during the polishing operation, the manipulator, controlled by its cam 129 rises and falls, applying the drop wire first to one pencil and then to the other, stopping at its normal position midway between the pencils. In the mean time, the presser foot springs 178178 descend upon the drop wire and hold it in place while the placing finger returns to its initial position, while the extracting finger advances and enters the drop wire slot. As the extracting; finger retires, the presser foot causes it to resist withdrawal, and this resistance causes the counting finger to rise, ride on the counting guide 210, and actuate the counter.

)bviously, variations of construction and arrangement are possible which still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, where all drop wires are of substantially the same length no feed rolls are re quired. The suction feed could deliver the drop wire to the registering device. But when drop wires of materially different lengths are to be treated the feed rolls are manifestly advantageous because the movement of the suction transfer can be vertical, thus avoiding cumbersome structure that would be necessary for feeding long drop wires. A 2 feed movement of the suction transfer suffices for a drop wire 12 long or longer, as well as for a drop wire 3 long, because the feed rolls supplement its action. Without the feed rolls either a 12 stroke of the suction transfer would be required or complications of intermittently acting mechanism must be invoked.

Again, Fig. 26 shows a modification of the suction actuation where a lever 250 replaces the cam lot 37 of Fig. 10. The lever is mounted on a carrier 251 which corresponds to the carrier 26. In place of a cam roll, the slide 27 carries a pin 252. The vertical slide 253 also carries a pin 254 which bears on the end of an adjacent abutment 255. While the pin 254 bears against said abutment, the carrier cannot move with the slide 27, but just as soon as the pin is lifted above the abutment, the carrier is free to move, and it does move with the slide 27, in the same manner and with the same effect as in the case of the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Likewise the polishing manipulator may be entirely actuated by the cam as shown in Fig. '27. A cam 257 is here used with a cam groove 258 instead of merely a cam edge as above described. Av slide block 130 is used as before. Theslide 259 however, besides sliding in a way 131 in the block 130, itself carries a lide 260 of which the manipulator 261 is a part. On the slide 259 are two projections 262-262 between which and the manipulator are springs 263263 which furnish the yielding condition necessary for applying the drop wire to the pol ishing pencils. Incase such a manipulator is employed the drop wire can be confined fiatwise as well as edgewise.

'lVithout limiting myself to the precise form or arrangement of my invention I claim 2- 1. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with polishing pencils and means to operate them, of rolls for presenting each drop wire to the polishing pencils and means to manipulate the drop wire to receive treatment by the polishing pencils.

2. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine containing a plurality of drop wires, a polishing device to act upon each drop wire, feed rolls to present each drop wire to the polishing device and means to operate the rolls, of a suction transfer to pick up the drop wires, one by one and transfer them to said feed rolls, and an elevator to raise the drop wires within the magazine to maintain the uppermost drop wires within range of action of the suction transfer and means to operate the foregoing as an organized machine.

3 In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine containing a plurality of drop wires, a polishing device, feed rolls to present the drop wires to the polishing device and means to operate the rolls, of a suction transfer to pick up the drop wires one by one from the magazine and transfer them to the said feed rolls, an elevator to raise the drop wires to the suction feed and means to concurrently actuate the elevator and the suction transfer.

a. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with opposed polishing pencils, spindles to carry the pencils, and means to drive the spindles, of a manipulator to receive the drop wire and apply it alternately to the polishing'pencils and means to operate the manipulator.

In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with opposed polishing pencils, spindles to carry the pencils and means to drive the spindles, of a manipulator to re ceive the drop wire, resilient means to operate the manipulator in one direction, a cam to control the manipulator and operate it in the opposite direction from that in which the resilient means operates it, and means tooperate the cam.

6.,In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with opposed polishing pencils andmeans to drive then, of a manipulator to receive the drop wire and which confines said drop wire at points to either side of the eye, leaving the drop wire free to yield un derapplication to the pencils, and means to operate the manipulator to apply. the drop wirealternately to the opposed pencils.

7. In a drop wire finishing'machine, the

combination with a sta d having. a slide,

way, a polishing bracket mounted insaid way, spindles mounted in the bracket, opposed polishing pencils carried by the spindles and means to drive the spindles, of a driving shaft having a bearing in the bracket, a cam shaft mounted also in the bracket, operative connections between the two shafts, a cam on the cam shaft and a manipulator on which the cam actsto Sub. ject the drop wire to theaction of the polishing pencils. 8. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with opposed polishing pencils, and means to drive them, a feeding device to deliver the drop wire to the polishing pencils, a device to receive the drop wire and means to submit the drop wire to the action of the pencils.

9. In a drop wire finishing'machine,'the combination with opposed polishing pencils and means to drive the pencils, a feeding device to deliver the drop wire to the pencils, a device to receive and hold the drop wire with elastic pressure to the action of the pencils, and means to subject the drop wire to the action of the pencils.

10. A manipulator for a drop wire finishing machine formed with guide ways to control the drop wire both edgewise and flatwise, an open space between said guide ways where the drop wire is unrestrained flatwise.

11. A. manipulator fora drop wire finishing machine formed with guide ways to control the drop wire both edgewise and fiatwise, open space between said guide ways where the drop wire is unrestrained flat-wise, and trumpet entrances to said ways.

12. A manipulator for a drop wire finishing machine, formed with guide ways to control the drop wire'flatwise, and an open space between said guide ways where the drop wire is not so controlled.

13. In a polishing device for a drop wire finishing machine the combination with a bracket 123, hollow spindles mounted in said bracket and means to drive the spindles, hollow-spring collets mounted in the spindles and means to operate said collets, a maipulator to hold the drop wire between the ends of the collets, and means to vibrate the manipulator. V r 7 1%. In a polishing device for adrop wire finishing machine the combination with pol ishing pencils and means to drivethem, of a manipulator to receive and hold the drop *ire for treatment by the pencils, a gaging finger to encounter and stop the drop wire, in position to be treated, means to place the gaging'rfinger 0n the manipulator to encoun ter the drop wire and means to move both the manipulator and the gage to apply the drop wire to the pencils. r

15. In a drop wire finishing 1nachine,the combination" with. a magazine containing drop wires, a. polishing apparatus to treat them including polishing pencils and means to secure contact between said pencils and a drop wire, and means to operate the polishing apparatus, of a transfer device to transfer the drop wires from the magazine and present them to the polishing apparatus, and means to advance the drop wire in the magazine.

' 16. In a drop wire finishingumachine, the combination with a polishing device conr prising polishing pencils and means to drive. them, a feed device to deliver the drop wire to the penciling apparatus and a device'to receive the drop wire and subject it to the action of'the pencils, of means to place the drop wire in position to receive the action of said pencils, a stop to locate thedrop wire in such position and means to actuate the placing means.

17. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a polishing device comprising pencils and means to drive them, a feed device to deliver the drop wire'to the polishing operation and a device to receive the drop wire and subject it to the action of the pencils, of means to place the drop wire in position, to receive the action of said pencils, a stop to locate the drop wire in such position, and means to interpose thestop in the path of the drop wire and with: draw it to admit a new drop wire.

18. In a drop wire finishing machine, the

combination with a polishing device comprising polishing pencils and means to drive them, a feed device to deliver the drop wire to the polishing operation and a device to receive the drop wire and subject it to the action of said pencils, of a stop interposed in the path of the drop wire to'locate it, and means to so interpose said stop, draw the drop wire to the stop and finally withdraw the stop to admit another drop wire.

19. In a drop Wire finishing machine, the

combination with a polishing device comprising polishing pencils and means to drive them, a stop to locate the drop wire for treatment by said pencils, means to set said stop, place the drop wire in contact therewith and finally withdraw the stop, and means to actuate the stop controlling and drop wire placing means. I I

20. In a re i tering device for a 'drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a stand, a finger mounted onsaid stand. the extremity of which finger is a stop, and a litter arm also mounted on the bracket and engaging the stop finger, of a placing finger to place the drop wire against the stop which placing finger engages thelifter arm controlling. by its movement, the litter and the gaging finger, and means to actuate the finishing machine, the combination with placing finger, 7 c

21. In a registering device for a drop wire finishing machme,- the combination with a stand, a gaging finger mounted on said stand, the extremity of which finger is a stop, and a placing finger also mounted on said stand to place the drop wire in contact with the stop and controlthe operation of the stop, and means to actuate said placing finger. I

In a registering device for a drop wire finishing machine. the combination with supporting means, of a gaging finger, to locate the drop wire, a placing finger acting upon the gaging finger to set the gaging finger to intercept the drop wire, to place the drop wire against the stop of the gaging finger, and to finally withdraw the stop to release the drop wire and admit a new one, and means to actuate the placing finger.

. 23. In a registering device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with supporting means, of a gaging finger thereon having a gage to locate a drop Wire, a placing finger also thereon, acting to set the gage to encounter a drop Wire, and acting to place the drop wire in contact with the gage and to hold it there, and finally acting to withdraw the gage to release the drop wire for removal and'to admit a new one, elastic means to actuate the placing finger to set the gage and to place the drop wire, and means to positively return the placing finger to withdraw it from the gage and to remove the gage from the path of travel of the drop wires. 1

24. In a registering device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a stand having a way and a bracket adjustably secured to said way, of a gaging fin-' ger mounted 011 said adjustable bracket, a,

placing finger mounted on the stand to control the drop wire and the gaging finger, a spring anchored to the stand and engaging the placing finger to actuate it in one direction, a cam to control the action of the placing finger under influence of the spring, a shaft on which said cam is mounted having hearings in the bracket, and means to drive the cam shaft and cam.

25. In a registering device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with means for mounting/the elements thereof. of a bracket adjustably secured thereto and a gaging finger mounted on said bracket. a litter arm having a cam formation and encountering the gagingfinger, a placing finger,'ex'tending beneath the lifter arm and movable in a pathto encounter the cam formation of the lifter arm, a spring to act upon the placing finger in one direction. a

means for moun i g the elements thereof;

. of a bracket adjustably secured to said means anda gaging'finger mounted on said bracket,

a lifter arm having a cam formation and an movablein a path to encounter the cam formationof the lifterarm, a shelf upon which the end of the drop wire ridesand by which itcis held to the action of the placing finger, and means to actmte the placinglinger.

27. In a drop wire finishingmachine, the combination with polishing device comprising polishing pencils and means to drive them, means to hold and control the drop wire while being polished, a stop to locate the. drop wire for polis nag, normally supported above the said holding means and limitedin its setting movement thereby, an arm to withhold the stoparm from its set position, in' contact withthe holding means, and means to'withdraw the" second arm from said stop arm to permitthe stop arm toasslnne its positionin contact with said hold ingmeans. x 1

earn adrop'wire finishingmachine, the combination with polishing pencils and means todrive them, a'nda manipulator to applythe drop wire alternately to the spin.- dles, of a stop to locate the drop wire for polishing, which stop" rests upon the manipv.ulator. when uncontrolled, a controlling arm to withholdthe stop'irom its set p'ositionlin contact with the manipulator to admit a drop wire, and means to remove-the con trolling" arm to "release the stop to locate a drop wire, and permit the stop arm to follow the manipulator in its movements and n1ain tam the location of the drop wire during the pohshmg;

29; In a diopeiile finishing machine, the

combination .with polishing pencils and means to drive them, of a stop to locate the drop wire with relation" to the pencils, a placing fin controlling the stop and maintaining it out of the path ot'mot eine'nt of the dropi wire, a feed device to deliver the drop wire for treatment by the pencils and to advance it to within range of actionot the placing linger,"andjmeans to actuate the placmg finger to release the stop, to engage the dropwire and, to place it in contact with the stop a after having been delivered by the feed aforesaid.

30. Ina drop wirefinishing machine, the i combinatlon with. pohslnn'g pencils and means to drirel' them, of a stopto-locate the drop; wire with relation to the pencilspa manipulator through vh-icll the drop wire passes and bywhich it is held during the polishing, and with which the stopco'ntacts during the polishing to maintain the position of the drop wire,-a teedjd'evice to insert the drop wirein the manipulator, a placing l nism for determining the location "of the" drop wire with relation tothepencils and for placing drop wire at that location .r

fingerto'eng'age the drop wire andplace it against the stop at ter having been delivered by the feed device, connections! between thenee -seer placing finger and the' stop through which the latter is controllcdby the placing finger. 31. In a drop wire finishing machine, the

combination with polishing pencils and means to drive them, a stop to locate the drop wire, w1th relation to the pencils, registering device to place the dropwire and;

means to subjectthe drop wire to the action of the pencils, of an extractor to withdraw the drop wire after it hasb'een polished and means to actuate the extractor.

rice for placing the drop wire, to be polished and a shelfon which the end ot-the drop wire rests, of a. spring presser foot bearing upon the end of the drop wire, means to press the foot upon the'drop wire, a linger to engage the drop wire and withdraw it from under the presser foot,and means to actuate saidfinger.

9r .1 I c. on. in a drop wue combination w1th polishing apparatus, a ,de

vic'e for placing the drop'wire tdbepolished anda shelf upon which the end of the drop wire rests, of a bifurcated sprmgpr'esser foot, means for forcing the. same upon the drop wire, a finger toenter the'bifurcation of the presser foot to ei'igago the'drop'wire and means to actuate said fingers finishing machine, the;

84. In a drop wire finishing machine, the

i'Ull'lblDfi'IlOn with polishing apparatus and a device for placing'the drop wire to be polished; including a shelf upon whichithe end of the drop wire'rcsts, of apres r foot com: prising two springs, each bearing, on one side of the drop wire leaving the drop wire slot open, independent adjustment for the tension of each spring, means to p ress the foot upon the drop Wire, a finger to enter the slot of the drop wire between the two prcsser toot springs, to engage and withdraw the drop wire, and means to actuate the said finger.

ln a drop wire finishing'machine, the combination with polishing pencils and means to drive them, a registering mechanism for determining the location'of the drop wire with relation to said pencils and for placing the drop wireat that location, and a bracket for mounting said registering mechanism, of a presser lever mounted on said bracket, a spring, presserfoot securer said resser lever, a shelibeneatlr the z presser foot to recelvethe end'of the drop wire, means actuated by the registermg mechanism to bear noon the dropwire with said presser foot, and means to withdraw'the f drop wire while under pressure.

36 In a drop wire, fi nsh ng machlne, the

combination with polishing 'pen'cil s'iand means to driye them, a registering mechaand a bracket for mounting said registering mechanism, a shelf upon which the end of the drop wire is placed by the registering mechanism, a presser foot to bear upon the drop wire and means actuated by the registermg mechanism to press the foot resiliently upon the drop wire, and means to extract the drop wire while under pressure.

37. In a drop wire finishing machine, the

combination of polishing pencils and means i: to drive them, a registering mechanism to locate and place the drop wire for polishing, means to actuate the mechanism including a shaft, and a bracket to mount same, of a presser lever mounted on the bracket, a

- presser foot secured to the lever, a cam on the shaft of theregistering mechanism to actuate the presser lever, a shelf on the bracket onwhich the drop wire rests and upon which it is pressed by the presser foot,

.: a hooked finger to engage and withdraw the drop wire and means to actuate the finger.

38. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with polishing pencils and means to drive them, of a registering device to locate and place the drop wire for polishing and means to actuate the same, an ex tracting device and actuating means therefor, a presser foot to hold the drop wire under pressure while. it is being extracted, and a cam driven by the registering actuating which cam acts upon the presser drive the pencils, feed rolls to deliver a drop wire to the placing and gaging apparatus to be operated on by the polishing pencils. and means to operatively connect the feed rolls with the constant speed shaft.

$0. In a machine for finishing drop wires, the combination with a polishing apparatus,

of means to sustain a plurality of drop wires in pile, transfer means to remove the drop wires from the pile one by one and present zgthem to the polishing apparatus for treatment, means to advance the pile as each drop wire is removed, a manipulator and means to operate it, means to locate the drop wire, a countermeans to concurrently wlthdraw a finished drop wire and register the withdrawal on said counter, and means to operate the foregoing as an organized machine.

41,111 amachine for finishing drop wires the combination with polishing apparatus and means for. feeding drop'wires tothe same, of placing and gaging apparatusfor controlling the position of the drop wire during the polishing, a presser foot to frictionize the drop wire operated by the placing and gaging apparatus, a counter to register the number of drop wires finished, an extracting finger to withdraw each drop wire after it has been finished, a counting lever on which said extracting finger is mounted, actuated to operate the counter through the extracting finger by resistance of a drop wire to extraction due to application of the presser foot and means to operate the foregoing coordinately as an organized machine.

42. In a machine for finishing drop wires, the combination with polishing pencils and means to drive them, of a magazine to contain the drop wires, a suction transfer device and means to operate it, feed rolls to receive the drop wire from said transfer device and deliver it to the-polishing pencils, means to drive the rolls and speed changing devices to change the speed of action of the transfer device relative to that vof the rolls.

43. In a machine for finishing drop wires, the combinationwith polishing pencils and means to drive them, of a magazine to contain drop wires, an elevator to raise the drop wires in the magazine, a suction transfer device to remove the drop wires from the magazine, feed rolls to receive a drop wire from the transfer device and deliver it to the polishing spindles, a driving device, a shaft to operate the feed rolls, constant speed gearing between the shaft, and the driving device, a shaft, to operate the elevator and transfer devices and change gearing between said shaft and the driving device:

-14. In a machine for finishing drop wires.

the combination with polishing pencils and means to drive them, and a magazine to can tain drop wires, of devices to transfer the drop wires from the magazine, apparatus to place and gage the position of the drop wire, a manipulator, change gearing to control the speed of said transfer device,'placing and gaging apparatus and manipulator and operative connections between them and the change gearing; feed rolls to convey the drop wire from the transfer device to the placing and gaging apparatus, constant speed gearing to control the rolls and operative connections between the rolls and said gearing, and driving devices for the ma chine acting through both the constant speed gearing and the change gearing to drive the devices named in tion.

prescribed rela- 45. In a drop wire finishing machine, the

combination with polishing pencils and means to drive them, and a magazine from which drop wires arewithdrawn for polishing, of a horizontal slide and means to drive i the-slide, a carrier thereon; a vertical slide on the carrleryoperative means connectlng the horizontal slide and the carrier to first act upon the vertical slide thereof and then to istering and ejecting units mounted thereon and adjusted with relation to each other; a splined driving shaft extending through'the aforesaid units and driving connectionsbetween them and said shaft, a c'onveyer' and means to operate same intermittently from said shaft controlled'by' the ejecting AilBOllanism, a transverse shaft and operative connecti'ons' between it and" the driving shaft; a feedmechanisin comprising a vertical feed and a suction transfer operated from the transversesha'ft, feed rolls intermediatethe suction-transfer and the polishing unit and a second transverse shaft to drive them, a driving pulley to drive the machine and -driving connections between the pulley and the twotransverse shafts'through whiclrthe machine is driven; I

l7. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine containing a plurality of drop wires and polishing apparatustotreatthe drop wires, of means to t'ansfer the drop wires from the magazine to thep'olishing apparatus an elevator to raise the drop" wires withinthe magazine to bring them'within the range of action of the transferdevicd' and means to operate the transfer means and elevator.

48: In a drop wirefinishing machine, the combination with polishing apparatus, a

transfer device for feeding" the drop wires one'by'one to the polishing apparatus, an elevator for gradually raising a pile of drop wires to maintain its top within range of the transfer device and means to maintain the drop wires in apile to which the said transfer device is accessible.

49. In a dropwire finishing machine, the combination with polishing apparatus, and a transfer device for feeding the drop wires one by one-to the polishing apparatusr of detachable devices for maintaining a plu} ra lity of drop wiresin pile in the i'n'achine and means for advancing the pile as each drop wire is removed by the transfer device.

50. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with polishing and registering mechanism, of an extracting device comprising a cross slide and means to reciprocate it, a hell crank lever on the cross slide one arm of which has a projection parallel withthe axis of turning of the lever, a hooked finger connected with the other arm of the sistance to extraction, a guide bar aboif'e' which the" projection of the lever raised by the resistance of the-drop wire,

and which preventsiits depressionuntilaf ter substantially complete reciprocation of the crosss'lide, and a counter arm in position to be encountered by the lever ann a'fores aidwhen upheld by the guide bar.

51. In a drop wirefinishiing machine; the coinb1'nat1onw'1th polishing apparatus and means for feeding" drop wires tothe same, of lacingand gaging apparatus" for com trolling the posltion of a drop-w re during the polishing means to impart to 1 thedi-op 1 wire being polished resistance to movement, a counter to register the number of drop wires finished; extracting; finger to withdraw eachid-iop- 'wire' after it hasbeen finished and neans to cause aid ffinger to over ome the resistance" of the" drop wire to movement, a ounting lever on which the extracting; finger isrhoun'ted, which tray els with saidifinger" and which is'rn'o'ved on its fulcrun'i whenever saidfinger eXt-raets' a dropwire, by resistance of the drop "wire-to movement acting. through said finger, teen-'- counter and actuate the counter aforesaid,

nd means to operate the "foregoing coordinately as an: organized" machine;

In a drop wire finishing ma-chine the' combination with polishing: apparatus, a de me for lacing the drop W1 to be no ished, means to restrain the dropwire frolic) movement after it been placed, a travel- 1 ing fii' gerto engage the drop'wir''and with draw the drop wire vercoming said restraint; and means to actuate the foregoing coordinately as an organized machine;

' "53. In a drop wire finishing machine thecom'bination with polishing apparatus, a

manipulatorto subject the drop wire to the action of the polishing apparatus and means to operate the manipulator, of a: frictionizfing device to restra n thedrop wire from movement, an extracting finger and means to engage it with the drop wire and to withdraw it front said frictional restraint, a,

counter to record the" number of the drop" wires so withdrawn, a lever on one arm of which the extracting finger is "mounted;-

which lever is swu'n throu h the instril mentality of the said finger by the'resistance of the drop wire to withdraw and raises' 'itsother arm to engage the counter aforesaid and to actuate it, a. guide to which the counterengaging a'rm'of the lever israised by the swln'g'ingof' the lever and on which guide the level-arm rides during the Withdrawal action of the finger, and means to operate the foregoing coordinately as an organized machine.

54. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with polishing apparatus, means to place the drop wire in position to be polished, and a frictionizing device to restrain the drop wire from movement after it has been positioned, of a traveling member and driving means therefor, a counting member carried on the traveling member and having a movement independent of the movement of travel, a counter to record the number of drop wires that have been finished a guide with which the counting member is engaged when actuating the counter, an extracting finger carried by the counting member to engage the drop wire and through which the resistance of the drop wire to movement acts to move the counting member on the traveling member to engage the guide and to actuate the counter, and means to operate the foregoing coordinately as an organized machine.

55. In a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with finishing instrumentalities and means to actuate them, a feed device to deliver the drop wires to the finishing instrumentalities, a gage to locate the drop wires when delivered and means to interpose the gage in the path of the drop wires, a holder to control each drop wire while it is being finished and means to subject the drop wire to the action of the finishing instrumentalities.

56. In an elevating device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine to hold drop wires, an elevating carriage to advance the drop wires through the magazine, a platform rockably mounted with respect to the carriage and means to elevate the carriage, of means to change the inclination of the platform with respect to the carriage as the carriage rises.

57. In an elevator device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine to hold drop wires, a base plate 3 secured to the bottom of the magazine and having an opening at and means to hold the magazine, of a carriage, a stand on the carriage fitted to enter the magazine through the opening 4,- in its base plate, a platform carried on the stand, and means to raise the carriage.

58. In an elevator device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a machine and a mounting therefor, of a stand, a carriage to raise the stand through the magazine and means to actuate the carriage.

59. In an elevator device for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine and a mounting therefor, an elevator platform, a carriage on which the platform is mounted and by which it is raised through the magazine, of a chain by which the carriage is suspended, a sprocket to engage the chain having a clutch hub, and a spindle on which the sprocket is mounted, a quill with a clutch to engage the sprocket, an abutment on the spindle, and a spring between said abutment and the end of the quill to hold the sprocket in clutch engagement with the quill, a wheel secured to the quill and means to move the wheel.

60. In an elevating mechanism for a drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a hollow shaft having a clutch formation at one end, a spindle within the hollow shaft, a sprocket thereon and means to maintain the sprocket and hollow shaft in operative engagement, and a worm wheel secured to the hollow shaft, of a worm to drive the worm wheel, a ratchet connected with the worm, and means connected with the operative mechanism of the machine to actuate the ratchet.

61. Ina drop wire finishing machine, the combination with a magazine for drop wires, a transfer device to remove the drop wires one by one from the magazine, an elevator carriage to advance the drop wires in the magazine, and means to concurrently actuate the elevator carriage and transfer device.

EDWIN C. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

